STRESS

A so-called ‘Modern Ailment’, stress has the potential to ruin lives.

What is Stress?

Stress has a sly, insidious and cunning way of infiltrating itself into our lives without us being aware of it. By the time stress has well and truly set in we often make the mistake of thinking ‘that’s life’ and we have no choice but to live with it, even though it takes the joy out of living.

Stress occurs when the pressures of life seem to be overwhelming or out of control. A small amount of pressure is good for us – we’re motivated to do more and push ourselves further to succeed. Too much pressure and we begin to suffer, feeling unable to cope and out of control. One of the main causes of sick absence from work, stress has the potential to make people very ill. Not only extremely debilitating in its own right, it can also contribute to and aggravate serious medical conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), heart disease, ulcers and even the development of cancer.

It makes sense to treat stress seriously and get help sooner rather than later: like most other serious conditions it won’t go away unless you do something about it!

Am I Suffering from Stress?

Recognising stress can be difficult. Many of our clients come to us not because they’re ‘stressed’ but because they’re suffering from a combination of the following:

Inability to concentrate, poor memory

Difficulty in making decisions

Irritability and constant worrying

Temper outbursts and impatience over trivial issues

Lack of self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy

Sleep problems or insomnia

Headaches, unexplained aches and pains

Breathlessness, panic attacks, dizziness

Binge eating or lack of appetite

Alcohol or drug abuse

Tingling sensations in hands or feet

Difficult breathing, feeling weak, grinding teeth

‘Queasy’ stomach and general uncomfortable feelings, vomiting

Fears of being left alone, strangers, dark, crowds

Sexual problems, impotence, frigidity

Withdrawal, avoiding social situations

If you relate or around five or six of these symptoms then it is possible that you too are suffering from stress. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer anymore. Isn’t it time you took back control?